Handheld GPS units answer the question of what trails head where, and more importantly, which trail leads back to camp. Handheld GPS units make navigating the back country simple and accurate because they receive positioning information from satellites, so you always have a signal.

Handheld GPS Units Receive Positioning Data From Satellites

Garmin 400t GPS ImagePortable handheld gps units are very useful for marking a trail head, a favorite fishing or hunting spot, marking your campsite, navigating toward previous marked points, and tracking your speed, distance, elevation, and much more.

With so many handheld gps devices on the market today and with each manufacturer claiming to offer the best accuracy in a gps device, selecting a handheld gps can be confusing. The two main types of handheld gps units are non-mapping and mapping units, non-mapping handheld gps units are designed to compute basic gps information only and are the least expensive of the two types.

If you do require maps as well as location details, you should opt for a mapping handheld gps which has the capability to download maps from cd-roms and other sources such as Garmin MapSource, and Magellan MapSend. The maps are stored in lat/long wgs-84 coordinates, so they wont need to be updated. Almost every mapping capable handheld gps will come with a rough basemap to get you started.

Garmin 550t GPS ImageYou will want a handheld gps to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand and have all the buttons positioned for easy for one-handed operation that won’t get in the way of your view of the screen. The new touchscreen displays have no external buttons making them quick and easy to navigate. For ATV camping you will want your GPS unit to be waterproof and have a handlebar mount and a DC power adapter.

The cost of a handheld gps will vary anywhere from $100 to $700, depending on the make, model, and features that the exact unit has. Some of the best features a typical handheld gps has is a long battery life and rugged design. Typically most units require two AA batteries and the life expectancy is typically around 72 hours of uninterrupted use. The rugged design helps protects the unit in the event on a mishap on your ATV.

Handheld GPS Units Have a Long Battery Life & Rugged Design

So now you can have the capability of knowing how to get to that remote ATV camping spot efficiently and knowing where you have been, all in a small compact unit. Get yourself a handheld GPS unit with the features you need and understand, you will be surprised how inexpensive and easy to use they really are.  See my post on Handheld GPS Terminology.

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